Brown pelican

Scylla: Female, hatched July, 2000 in the wild. She arrived at the Zoo on March 28, 2001 from an animal rehabilitation center in California. The center was unable to release her back to the wild because damage to her right eye left her partially blind.  Scylla is a California brown pelican, subspecies californicus.

Glutton: Male, hatched in 1986 in the wild. He arrived at the Zoo on June 4, 1987 from an animal rehabilitation center in Florida. The center was unable to release him back to the wild because of an injury to his right wing. He was incapable of full flight and the wing was later amputated. Glutton is an Eastern brown pelican, subspecies carolinensis.

Viewing Hints

The pelicans are often fed near the end of the day, so visit them towards the end of your zoo visit.

Where to find me in the Zoo

Carnivore Kingdom

Fun Facts

• Contrary to popular belief, the brown pelican does not typically carry fish in its large bill pouch.
• The Brown Pelican is the national bird of the Turks and Caicos Islands and is the state bird of Louisiana.

Ask an Expert

The body is all brown with a white head and black feet. This is the only pelican species that is mostly brown in color. The bare parts of the bill pouch can color up during breeding turning a bright red. Their feet are short, set relatively far apart and all 4 toes are connected with webbing. This makes them very efficient swimmers but awkward walking on land.

Longevity

Longevity in the wild is not well known but they can live to be over 30 years in captivity. Many brown pelicans in U.S. zoos come from wildlife rehabilitators and their exact ages are unknown.

Behavior

This is the only pelican species that regularly feeds by plunge-diving; diving head down into the water with its bill open. They are usually found in large groups, breeding in colonies.

Reproduction

The brown pelican nests primarily on the ground in a small depression using little nesting material. Two to 3 eggs are laid and the chicks hatch out about 30 days later. Chicks fledge from the nest at around 63 days of age and are fed by the parents for another 2 weeks after fledging. Brown pelicans are sexually mature at about 2-3 years of age.

Size

Brown pelicans range from 41- 60 in (105-152 cm) with a wingspan of 80- 90 in (203-228 cm).

Weight

Average 7.7 lb (3.5 kg) with the female slightly smaller than the male.

Diet

Brown pelicans are primarily picivorous, meaning they mainly eat fish. In the wild these birds consume fish they capture by diving from the air into the water. Occasionally the birds will also eat crustaceans. At the Zoo the birds are offered a variety of fish that includes smelt, capelin and their favorite trout. The diet is supplemented with vitamins and minerals important for fish eaters. Keepers typically toss the fish to the pelicans; the birds will catch the fish out of the air in their large pouch they then extend their necks to swallow.

Geographic Range

Pacific coast of America from California (P.o. californicus) to Mexico and the Atlantic coast from S. Carolina to Venezuela (P.o. carolinensis). Occupies strictly marine habitats.